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Modification, processing, and subcellular localization in Escherichia coli of the pCloDF13-encoded bacteriocin release protein fused to the mature portion of beta-lactamase.

A fusion between the pCloDF13-derived bacteriocin release protein and beta-lactamase was constructed to investigate the subcellular localization and posttranslational modification of the bacteriocin release protein in Escherichia coli. The signal sequence and 25 of the 28 amino acid residues of the mature bacteriocin release protein were fused to the mature portion of beta-lactamase. The hybrid protein (Mr, 31,588) was expressed in minicells and whole cells and possessed full beta-lactamase activity. Immunoblotting of subcellular fractions revealed that the hybrid protein is present in both the cytoplasmic and outer membranes of E. coli. Radioactive labeling experiments in the presence or absence of globomycin showed that the hybrid protein is modified with a diglyceride and fatty acids and is processed by signal peptidase II, as is the murein lipoprotein. The results indicated that the pCloDF13-encoded bacteriocin release protein is a lipoprotein which is associated with both membranes of E. coli cells.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Lactococcin A, a new bacteriocin from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris: isolation and characterization of the protein and its gene.

A new bacteriocin, termed lactococcin A (LCN-A), from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LMG 2130 was purified and sequenced. The polypeptide contained no unusual amino acids and showed no significant sequence similarity to other known proteins. Only lactococci were killed by the bacteriocin. Of more than 120 L. lactis strains tested, only 1 was found resistant to LCN-A. The most sensitive strain tested, L. lactis subsp. cremoris NCDO 1198, was inhibited by 7 pM LCN-A. By use of a synthetic DNA probe, lcnA was found to be located on a 55-kb plasmid. The lcnA gene was cloned and sequenced. The sequence data revealed that LCN-A is ribosomally synthesized as a 75-amino-acid precursor including a 21-amino-acid N-terminal extension. An open reading frame encoding a 98-amino-acid polypeptide was found downstream of and in the same operon as lcnA. We propose that this open reading frame encodes an immunity function for LCN-A. In Escherichia coli lcnA did not cause an LCN-A+ phenotype. L. lactis subsp. lactis IL 1403 produced small amounts of the bacteriocin and became resistant to LCN-A after transformation with a recombinant plasmid carrying lcnA. The other lactococcal strains transformed with the same recombinant plasmid became resistant to LCN-A but did not produce any detectable amount of the bacteriocin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel lactococcal bacteriocin whose activity depends on the complementary action of two peptides.

A lactococcal bacteriocin, termed lactococcin G, was purified to homogeneity by a simple four-step purification procedure that includes ammonium sulfate precipitation, binding to a cation exchanger and octyl-Sepharose CL-4B, and reverse-phase chromatography. The final yield was about 20%, and nearly a 7,000-fold increase in the specific activity was obtained. The bacteriocin activity was associated with three peptides, termed alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta, which were separated by reverse-phase chromatography. Judging from their amino acid sequences, alpha 1 and alpha 2 were the same gene product. Differences in their configurations presumably resulted in alpha 2 having a slightly lower affinity for the reverse-phase column than alpha 1 and a reduced bacteriocin activity when combined with beta. Bacteriocin activity required the complementary action of both the alpha and the beta peptides. When neither alpha 1 nor beta was in excess, about 0.3 nM alpha 1 and 0.04 nM beta induced 50% growth inhibition, suggesting that they might interact in a 7:1 or 8:1 ratio. As judged by the amino acid sequence, alpha 1 has an isoelectric point of 10.9, an extinction coefficient of 1.3 x 10(4) M-1 cm-1, and a molecular weight of 4,346 (39 amino acid residues long). Similarly, beta has an isoelectric point of 10.4, an extinction coefficient of 2.4 x 10(4) M-1 cm-1, and a molecular weight of 4110 (35 amino acid residues long). Molecular weights of 4,376 and 4,109 for alpha 1 and beta, respectively, were obtained by mass spectrometry. The N-terminal halves of both the alpha and beta peptides may form amphiphilic alpha-helices, suggesting that the peptides are pore-forming toxins that create cell membrane channels through a "barrel-stave" mechanism. The C-terminal halves of both peptides consist largely of polar amino acids.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expansion of bacteriocin activity and host range upon complementation of two peptides encoded within the lactacin F operon.

Lactacin F is a membrane-active bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus johnsonii VPI11088 (Laf+). The genetic determinants encoding lactacin F are organized in a 1-kb polycistronic operon composed of a promoter (P(laf)), three genes (lafA, lafX, and ORFZ), and a functional rho-independent transcription terminator. Two Laf- derivatives of VPI11088, designated NCK64 and NCK65, were characterized. NCK64 contained a frameshift mutation in the lafA gene causing premature termination of translation. NCK65 harbored a 10-kb chromosomal deletion covering the laf operon. When the lafA gene was cloned independently and expressed in NCK65, bacteriocin activity was limited to L. helveticus 87, only one of the six known lactacin F-sensitive (Lafs) indicators. When lafX was introduced into NCK65, no bacteriocin activity against any of the sensitive strains was detected. Genetic combination of lafA and lafX, in cis or in trans, restored bacteriocin activity against all Lafs indicators. When two NCK65 clones containing either lafA or lafX were plated slightly apart on agar plates, fully active lactacin F was present in the intervening area where the two excreted gene products, LafA and LafX, diffused together. The genetic analysis revealed that the interaction of two bacteriocinogenic peptides encoded within the laf operon is likely to participate in the formation of poration complexes in the membranes of susceptible bacteria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic evidence for an activator required for induction of colicin-like bacteriocin 28b production in Serratia marcescens by DNA-damaging agents.

Bacteriocin 28b production is induced by mitomycin in wild-type Serratia marcescens 2170 but not in Escherichia coli harboring the bacteriocin 28b structural gene (bss). Studies with a bss-lacZ transcriptional fusion showed that mitomycin increased the level of bss gene transcription in S. marcescens but not in the E. coli background. A S. marcescens Tn5 insertion mutant was obtained (S. marcescens 2170 reg::Tn5) whose bacteriocin 28b production and bss gene transcription were not increased by mitomycin treatment. Cloning and DNA sequencing of the mutated region showed that the Tn5 insertion was flanked by an SOS box sequence and three genes that are probably cotranscribed (regA, regB, and regC). These three genes had homology to phage holins, phage lysozymes, and the Ogr transcriptional activator of P2 and related bacteriophages, respectively. Recombinant plasmid containing this wild-type DNA region complemented the reg::Tn5 regulatory mutant. A transcriptional fusion between a 157-bp DNA fragment, containing the apparent SOS box upstream of the regA gene, and the cat gene showed increased chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity upon mitomycin treatment. Upstream of the bss gene, a sequence similar to the consensus sequence proposed to bind Ogr protein was found, but no sequence similar to an SOS box was detected. Our results suggest that transcriptional induction of bacteriocin 28b upon mitomycin treatment is mediated by the regC gene whose own transcription would be LexA dependent.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biochemical and genetic evidence that Enterococcus faecium L50 produces enterocins L50A and L50B, the sec-dependent enterocin P, and a novel bacteriocin secreted without an N-terminal extension termed enterocin Q.

Enterococcus faecium L50 grown at 16 to 32 degrees C produces enterocin L50 (EntL50), consisting of EntL50A and EntL50B, two unmodified non-pediocin-like peptides synthesized without an N-terminal leader sequence or signal peptide. However, the bacteriocin activity found in the cell-free culture supernatants following growth at higher temperatures (37 to 47 degrees C) is not due to EntL50. A purification procedure including cation-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and reverse-phase liquid chromatography has shown that the antimicrobial activity is due to two different bacteriocins. Amino acid sequences obtained by Edman degradation and DNA sequencing analyses revealed that one is identical to the sec-dependent pediocin-like enterocin P produced by E. faecium P13 (L. M. Cintas, P. Casaus, L. S. Hâvarstein, P. E. Hernández, and I. F. Nes, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:4321-4330, 1997) and the other is a novel unmodified non-pediocin-like bacteriocin termed enterocin Q (EntQ), with a molecular mass of 3,980. DNA sequencing analysis of a 963-bp region of E. faecium L50 containing the enterocin P structural gene (entP) and the putative immunity protein gene (entiP) reveals a genetic organization identical to that previously found in E. faecium P13. DNA sequencing analysis of a 1,448-bp region identified two consecutive but diverging open reading frames (ORFs) of which one, termed entQ, encodes a 34-amino-acid protein whose deduced amino acid sequence was identical to that obtained for EntQ by amino acid sequencing, showing that EntQ, similarly to EntL50A and EntL50B, is synthesized without an N-terminal leader sequence or signal peptide. The second ORF, termed orf2, was located immediately upstream of and in opposite orientation to entQ and encodes a putative immunity protein composed of 221 amino acids. Bacteriocin production by E. faecium L50 showed that EntP and EntQ are produced in the temperature range from 16 to 47 degrees C and maximally detected at 47 and 37 to 47 degrees C, respectively, while EntL50A and EntL50B are maximally synthesized at 16 to 25 degrees C and are not detected at 37 degrees C or above.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bacteriocins of Diplococcus pneumoniae. I. Antagonistic relationships and genetic transformations.

Mindich, Leonard (The Public Health Research Institute of the City of New York, Inc., New York, N.Y.). Bacteriocins of Diplococcus pneumoniae. I. Antagonistic relationships and genetic transformations. J. Bacteriol. 92:1090-1098. 1966.-Several strains of Diplococcus pneumoniae produced bacteriocins inhibiting the growth of other strains of pneumococcus but inactive upon themselves. Strain R6, which did not produce pneumocin under most conditions, was changed to a producing state by mutation or by transformation with deoxyribonucleic acid from other pneumococci. The genetic determinants of several different bacteriocins were introduced into the same cell, where they acted independently. Determinants active in bacteriocin production were also constructed by crosses involving two nonproducing parents. Resistance to pneumocin B4 was a property of cells of the P4 type which produced it. On selection of pneumocin-resistant cells resulting from mutation or transformation in strain R6, resistant cells, all of which were pneumocin producers, were obtained. The genetic determinants of B4 production and resistance were transferred together in transformation. A gene for high level B4 resistance was found in strain P7S. This gene was not associated with B4 production and did not induce production when introduced into R6, although it did increase resistance to B4. Pneumocin B4 was bactericidal and caused a rapid cessation of growth. Its action was inhibited by pronase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and phospholipids.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Bacteriocin produced by Bordetella pertussis.

Of the 24 strains of Bordetella pertussis examined, 2 produced bacteriocins that inhibited the growth of all but 2 other strains of this species. The two strains producing the bacteriocin and the two resistant strains were rough, whereas all susceptible strains were smooth. The bacteriocin was not active on the B. parapertussis or B. bronchiseptica strains tested. These bacteriocins appeared to be protein in nature, since they were heat-labile and partially inactivated by trypsin. They were antigenic but the neutralizing antibodies did not precipitate the antigens. Absorption of the antiserum with homologous cell suspensions removed the agglutinating, but not the neutralizing, antibody.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Purification and genetic determination of bacteriocin production in Enterobacter cloacae.

Enterobacter cloacae (strain DF13) was found to produce a bacteriocin which could be induced by mitomycin C. In the supernatant fluid of the induced culture phagelike particles were found. The bacteriocin was partially purified from induced cultures by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel-filtration on Sephadex G-150. Ultraviolet-absorbing material was eluted from the Sephadex column in three fractions. The biological activity was mainly present in the second fraction and is associated with a protein with a molecular weight of about 61,000. The phagelike particles were found in the first fraction and show no biological activity. Upon conjugation of E. cloacae strain DF13 with another strain of the same species and with Escherichia coli K-12S, the ability to produce bacteriocin was transferred. The new bacteriocinogenic strain produced bacteriocin, which could not be distinguished from that produced by E. cloacae strain DF13. Although transfer of the bacteriocinogenic factor often occurred together with transfer of the ability to produce phagelike particles, it was shown that these two factors are two separate genetic entities. In addition to a bacteriocinogenic factor, E. cloacae strain DF13 was found to carry two other transferable plasmids: one determining resistance against streptomycin and sulfanilamide and another determining resistance against penicillin.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Bacteriocin typing of clinical isolates of Enterobacter cloacae.

A total of 16 selected bacteriocins of Enterobacter cloacae were characterized presumptively. They proved to be noninfectious, sedimentable (105,000 X g), resistant against chloroform and trypsin, and nonfilterable. The host ranges were essentially species specific. Based on susceptibility to one or more of these 16 bacteriocins, 242 of 308 (78.6%) clinical E. cloacae isolates were typed and assigned to 52 provisional bacteriocin types. Several outbreaks of nosocomial cross-infection were discerned retrospectively. Thus, bacteriocin typing of E. cloacae isolates may prove useful for controlling hospital infection.

Bacteriocins↗

Bacteriocin typing of Clostridium perfringens in human feces.

Three hundred and ninety-nine isolates of Clostridium perfringens from enriched stool specimens of 51 individuals (about eight colonies per person) were typed by bacteriocins. Forty-nine percent of these persons carried more than one bacteriocin type in their stool, and some had three or four different stains as determined by bacteriocin typing. Weekly stool specimens obtained from seven positive volunteers over a period of 5 weeks were screened for C. perfringens, and several colonies from each person were typed. This survey demonstrated that the number of types fluctuated with time, several types could be carried simultaneously, and the isolation of the organism was variable. Nine new bacteriocin types of C. perfringens were isolated in this study.

Bacteriocins↗

Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage tail-like bacteriocin from a strain of Rhizobium.

Bacterial strain 16-3 spontaneously produces a bacteriocin which inhibits the growth of closely related strain 16-2. Both strains were newly isolated from root nodules of lupines and probably belong to the species Rhizobium lupini. Production of infectious progeny of newly isolated virulent phage 16-2-4 in strain 16-2 is inhibited completely if complexes are bacteriocin-treated during the first half of the latent period. Treatment begun during the second half leads to premature lysis of complexes and inactivates only those progeny phages which were not yet fully matured at the moment of the particle-induced lysis. Examination by electron microscope of the bacteriocin enrichment revealed the presence of particles 123 nm in length which resemble the tails of T-even bacteriophages. Since the particles sediment together with the bactericidal activity in the sucrose gradient and adsorb specifically to bacteriocin-sensitive cells, it is concluded that they are identical with the bactericidal agent. The particles are not found attached to phage heads and cannot self-propagate; they are regarded as incomplete and are named INCO particles. INCO particles consist of a core enveloped by a contractile sheath. One end of the sheath is connected to a baseplate to which six fibers, each 32 nm in length, are attached. These connect the baseplate of an adsorbing particle to the cell surface. Since INCo cores are probably empty, it is concluded that specific adsorption of the particles to the bacterial surface is sufficient to inactive sensitive cells irreversibly.

Acetates↗

The potential of bacteriocin typing in the study of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning.

A range of 49 bacteriocins was used to type 311 strains of Clostridium perfringens isolated from food poisoning outbreaks. Strains of same serotype within an outbreak showed similar patterns of susceptibility to bacteriocins, whereas strains of different serotype isolated from different sources produced many variations in bacteriocin susceptibility patterns. The 311 strains, along with isolates from a wide range of sources were screened for their ability to produce bacteriocins. A much greater proportion of the strains from food poisoning outbreaks was bacteriocinogenic than were isolates from human and animal infections, various foods and the environment.

Bacteriocins↗

Typing of fluorescent phytopathogenic pseudomonads by bacteriocin production.

Several phytopathogenic fluorescent Pseudomonas species, primarily P. syringae, could be grouped into 16 bacteriocin producer groups, including new and previously described groups. At least 86% of the P. syringae strains could be typed by bacteriocin production. There was poor correlation between bacteriocin type and host plant origin. No correlation was detected between syringomycin (a phytotoxin) production and bacteriocin type.

Bacterial Toxins↗

A simple device for growing Clostridium perfringens and its application in bacteriocin studies.

A simple device constructed of common laboratory material served as a minifermenter for the growth of Clostridium perfringens. A constant flow of nitrogen gas into a culture tube containing C. perfringens assured agitation of the culture and a mechanism for dispensing small volumes of liquid from the culture without disturbing the growth environment. The method was applied to examining the growth-inhibiting effect of bacteriocins of C. perfringens where a very economical use of radioactive isotopes was possible. The activity of some bacteriocins differed when compared with previous data obtained with stationary cultures. Two major categories of bacteriocin appear to exist for this species: those bacteriocins which block the incorporation of DNA, RNA, and protein precursors and those which interfere with the organism's cell wall.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Characterization of bacteriocin 28 produced by Clostridium perfringens.

Bacteriocin 28, produced by Clostridium perfringens, was characterized by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a glycoprotein with a molecule weight of approximately 100,000. Density gradient centrifugation suggested a lower weight of 84,000. The bacteriocin bound firmly to phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B gel, indicating hydrophobic properties, and elution from this gel with ethylene glycol clearly separated bacteriocin from the alpha and theta toxins of C. perfringens, the latter of which was also hydrophobic. Bacteriocin 28 was immunogenic, inducing neutralizing and precipitating antibodies, and possessed three isoelectric points: 7.37, 7.05, and 5.4. Amino acid and carbohydrate analysis of the active material showed a composition of 15 amino acids and several carbohydrates. The molecule demonstrated instability with increasing purification, and several approaches to purification are described.

Bacteriocins↗

Evidence for a membrane-bound form of a bacteriocin of Bacteroides uniformis Tl-1.

The bacteriocin of Bacteroides uniformis T1-1 had previously been reported to have a molecular weight of greater than or equal to 300 000. Reexamination of the B. uniformis bacteriocin revealed that the bacteriocin was found in association with membrane vesicles which had been released by bleb formation from the outer surface of the B. uniformis cells. The bacteriocin could be released from whole cells or purified membrane vesicles by treatment with 6 M guanidine hydrochloride or 7 M urea and had an apparent molecular weight of 5000-6200.

Bacteriocins↗

Characterization of diacetin B, a bacteriocin from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis UL720.

Fourteen Lactococcus lactis strains showing inhibitory activity against Listeria innocua SICC 4202 were isolated from different French raw milks and raw milk cheeses and screened for bacteriocin production by the triple layer method under conditions that eliminate the effects of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Three bacteriocinogenic strains (two Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis UL719 and UL720 and one Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis UL730) were selected for their high capacity to inhibit the growth of various food pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and clostridial strains. The inhibitory compounds from these three strains are inactivated by selected proteases, indicating their protein nature. They retained their antibacterial activity after heat treatments of 100 degrees C for 60 min and 121 degrees C for 20 min, and in the pH range from 2 to 11. The bacteriocin diacetin B produced by strain UL720 has been purified by a pH-dependent adsorption-desorption procedure, followed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, with a yield of 1.25% of the original activity. Mass spectrometry analysis indicates that the pure peptide has a molecular mass of 4292.32 or 4490.28 Da, while amino acid sequencing allowed the identification of the primary structure of the bacteriocin composed of 37 amino acid residues. The structure of the peptide did not show similarity with other known bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗